-Hester commits adultery and her punishment is to where a scarlet letter "A" on her bosom.
-Hester has to stand on the scaffold with her daughter, Pearl in front of the townspeople for three hours because she won't admit who commited the sin with her.
-Hester's husband, Roger Prynne, comes to Boston after being away for over two years. To his horror, he sees his wife standing on the scaffold. He assumes the identity of Roger Chillingworth. This is important because it sets up Roger's evil character and his plot for revenge.
-Pearl doesn't make friends. She also claims that she doesn't have a Heavenly father becaue she was plucked from the rose bush in front of the prison. This reveals a quality of mischief.
-Hester learns that the citizens of the town feel that Pearl should be taken away from her. She pleads with Governor Bellingham telling him that Pearl is the only thing she has.
-Pearl refuses to repeat the catechism to Reverend Wilson. This shows her lack of respect for authority.
-Dimmesdale becomes very weak, but gains popularity. Because of his sin, he is more tolerable to his church members that have commited sins.
-Dimmesdale goes to the scaffold and stands with Hester and Pearl. Pearl asks him to stand with them the next day. He replies that he will stand with them on the great Judgement Day.
-Hester's role in the community changes. She is more respected. People associate the letter on her bosom to stand for "Able" rather than "Adulterer".
-Chillingworth moves in with Dimmesdale.
-Chillingworth determines that Dimmesdale was Hester's lover and tortures him. He admits he has become a fiend for Dimmesdale's torment. All the while, Dimmesdale doesn't realize Chillingworth's motives.
-Hester waits for Dimmesdale in the forest. She reveals that Chillingworth is her husband and asks him to leave town with her. Here in the forest, Hester removes her "A" for the first time.
-Pearl shrieks and throws a fit when she sees that her mother is not wearing the scarlet letter. She refuses to come near until she replaces it on her bosom.
-Hester puts the letter back on and Pearl crosses the stream and kisses her mother and the scarlet letter. These actions show that no matter what Hester will never be able to forget her sin. It also shows that Pearl will be a constant reminder of her sin as long as she lives.
-Dimmesdale and Hester make plans to move to Europe.
-At the Election Day sermon, Chillingworth learns their plans to flee and plans to go on the boat with them. This shows how spiteful and malicious Chillingworth is.
-Dimmesdale gives his sermon. It is the most brilliant moment in his life.
-Dimmesdale joins Hester and Pearl on the scaffold. He shows his chest and asks God for forgiveness. The people are completely silent.
-Dimmesdale explains that he wants to spend eternity with Hester, but feels is is impossible because of their sins.
-Chillingworth dies a year after Dimmesdale's death. Now, his sin was the worst because it was hidden.
-Hester wears the scarlet "A" for the rest of her life and was buried in the cemetary described in the first chapter.